Ravens Star Nnamdi Madubuike to Miss Chiefs Game with Neck Injury
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike will be sidelined for this week’s game against the Kansas City chiefs due to a neck injury, head coach John Harbaugh confirmed Wednesday. The injury developed after the Ravens’ Week 2 victory over the Cleveland Browns, though the exact moment it occurred remains unknown.
The absence of the 27-year-old Madubuike is a significant blow to a Ravens defence currently ranked last in the NFL, a position they haven’t held as Week 16 of 2021. Madubuike has been Baltimore’s most impactful defensive lineman, earning Pro Bowl selections in the past two seasons and leading all defensive tackles with 21.5 sacks since the start of the 2023 season. without him, the Ravens allowed a season-high 207 rushing yards between the tackles in Monday’s 38-30 loss to the Detroit Lions and failed to record a single sack – their first sackless game in four years. Baltimore is attempting to avoid their first 1-3 start in a decade.
Madubuike is in the second year of a four-year, $98 million contract with $75.5 million guaranteed. The team currently has no timetable for his return, with Harbaugh stating, “So, he’s not going to play this week, I can tell you that. And we’re going to have to see going forward when they know what they need to know.”
Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh expressed support for his teammate, saying, “Obviously, he’s a guy that we need and is dominant. I feel bad, but it’s the next man up mentality. We’d be doing him a disservice if we were out here not playing hard.” Oweh added that Madubuike is in good spirits and focused on recovery after speaking with him a few days prior.
The Ravens are also dealing with injuries to other defensive linemen. Starting nose tackle Travis Jones (knee) and defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr. (ankle), who stepped in for Madubuike, did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. Harbaugh expressed optimism about their potential return, stating, “I have a good feeling about those guys, but we will have to wait and see.”
